Monday, August 27, 2012

MORE LISTERIA RISKS FOR AMERICANS

While I was doing research for The Safe Food Handbook: How to Make Smart Choices about Risky Food, I became convinced that the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes was a potentially huge risk in our industrialized food supply.

The people most in danger are pregnant women and those with weak immune systems. Such people need to think increasingly carefully about what they eat. I have done so many posts on this topic, including just a few days ago on it being found in cantaloupes, honeydew melons and white mushrooms (See the post for August 19th). Here's some additional more recent Listeria-linked recalls in the U.S., all just from the past 5 days .

Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling 1,039 cases of bagged salad for the same reason. The product being recalled is 10 oz. Dole Italian Blend coded 0049N2202008, with a Use-By date of August 20 (now expired). At present the recall of this product is limited to 8 U.S. states.

Fresh Express Incorporated has also just recalled a limited quantity of 10 oz. Hearts of Romaine salad with the expired Use-by Date of August 23, 2012 because of L.monocytogenes. As in the case of Dole (above), the recall came after the product was likely to have been already eaten. (A lot of good that does us!). It was distributed in 19 States. Fresh Express is a huge company, and has had many similar recalls in past years.

And remember, those who follow my blog but live overseas - The Listeria monocytogenes bacterium is not just a U.S. problem. It can be anywhere.